PNG, Fiji army plan raises issues

 A MOVE to bring Fiji and PNG’s military operations closer together has raised concerns among two former defence leaders.

Fiji has approved a defence cooperation agreement between the Fiji military and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

The agreement could see PNG military personnel joining Fiji soldiers in overseas peacekeeping missions.

Former commander of the PNGDF Major-Gen Jerry Singirok has told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat he opposes the idea of PNG personnel reporting to Fijian commanders.

“Papua New Guinea is a sovereign country, and should represent itself on peacekeeping operations,” he said.

“It’s a step in the right direction for PNG to pick up its experience, based on its own lessons.

“We don’t deny that Fiji has peacekeeping experience, but they started like us – they started with no experience.”

Former Fiji army leader Major-Gen Sitiveni Rabuka agreed in principle with the defence agreement.

But he said the militaries should focus on training together, rather than joint operations, which could lead to confusion.

“The practical aspect of the command of those soldiers will be an issue – whose command are they going to be under?” he said.

“Even those who are under the force commander of the United Nations are still under national control.

“They’re answerable to their command.”

Fijian peacekeepers have served on international missions since 1978 in Lebanon, Kosovo, Sinai and Iraq.

The UN has been under pressure to reduce its reliance on Fijian peacekeepers in the wake of the 2006 military-led coup in Fiji.